STATE ATTORNEY PHIL ARCHER: Don’t Fall for the Missed Jury Duty Scam
By Phil Archer, State Attorney // September 9, 2019
If you did miss jury duty, typically you’ll get a failure to appear notice by mail
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The missed jury duty scam has been around for years and Florida officials are again issuing warnings.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
You receive a call or email that claims to be a law enforcement officer, state attorney or a court official saying that you failed to show for state or federal jury duty.
Your caller ID will even show the name of a real government office or official. The scammer says a fine was imposed and if it’s not paid, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
You’re then told to send a wire transfer payment or send a prepaid debit card. They may also ask for your birthdate, social security number or other information used to steal your identity.
If you did miss jury duty, typically you’ll get a failure to appear notice by mail, from the clerk of the court with instructions to contact them.
The courts, law enforcement, and state attorneys will not call or e-mail you threatening arrest if you don’t pay.
They never ask for payment by wire transfer or pre-paid debit card.
If you receive a call like this hang-up, don’t give out any information, then report it to your local law enforcement and the FTC.
The Jury Duty Scam is part of a group known as Imposter Scams.
Read more about the tricks government imposters use and how to beat their scams by visiting the FTC and Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis websites.
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